COUNTER-IRRITANTS 495 



and stimulate reflexly the vital functions in collapse^ shock and narcotic 

 coma. Applied over the cardiac region^ they avert syncope. To assist 

 the action of mustard, we often cover the application with hot, wet 

 blankets, and then with dry ones. Stimulating liniments are sometimes 

 preferred. One volume of oil of mustard may be combined with fifteen 

 volumes of oil of turpentine, or ammonia water, thirty parts, and oil of 

 turpentine, fifteen parts, are added to spirit of camphor and soap lini- 

 ment, each fifty parts. 



Turpentine is more valuable in abdominal disorders in horses. It is 

 sprinkled on hot blankets, and applied as a stupe to stop pain, spasm, 

 and stimulate normal peristalsis in colic ; and to relieve pain and conges- 

 tion in enteritis, peritonitis, diarrhea and other difficulties. The beneficial 

 result accruing from the use of external counter-irritants in bowel troubles 

 is often facilitated by the injection of hot (115° F.) rectal enemata. 



Stimulating liniments are serviceable in aiding resolution of swelling, 

 following the acute stage of cellulitis, lymphangitis, neuritis, mammitis, 

 rheumatism, strains and bruises. They are often employed in laryngitis. 

 In chronic skin diseases, as eczema, mild counter-irritants (tar, oil of 

 cade, Peruvian balsam, etc.) substitute an active reparative process, tend 

 to aid absorption of exudation and induration, and relieve pain and itch- 

 ing. The tincture of iodine may abort incipient inflammatory lesions, as 

 boils and abscess, by means of its counter-irritant and antiseptic prop- 

 erties. 



VESICANTS AND THE ACTUAL CAUTERY. 



Cantharides, red iodide of mercury, and croton oil, are more com- 

 monly used in veterinary medicine to cause blistering. Reference will 

 be had, hereafter, to cantharidal blisters. Blisters and the cautery are 

 especially indicated to cause resolution of inflammatory products and 

 modification of inflammatory processes ; to secure fixation and rest of 

 parts, and to relieve pain. It is impossible to enumerate all the condi- 

 tions in which they are useful. In the treatment of severe sprains, as 

 curb and "breakdown" ; and in exostoses, as ringbone and spavin, the 

 actual cautery (firing) is used before and in conjunction with blistering 

 to exaggerate the counter-irritant effect. Absorption is attained in the 

 foregoing conditions by the production of an acute inflammation, with 

 increase of vascularity, tissue change and fatty degeneration. In "break- 

 down," the formation of scar tissue is thought (without reason) to assist 

 in supporting the limb. Sometimes, on the other hand, osseous deposit 

 is unabsorbed, but anchylosis and freedom from pain in a diseased joint 

 are secured by the enforced maintenance of rest and fixation of the joint, 

 together with the production of new bone. 



In exudative diseases of serous membranes, as pleuritis, pericarditis, 

 peritonitis, meningitis, arthritis, and synovitis, blisters facilitate absorp- 

 tion and recovery after the acute stage is over. This favorable result is 

 not due to loss of serum, but to modification of the inflammatory process. 

 In the first three diseases named above, blisters — fly-blisters — may be ap- 

 plied in spots every few days in different places over the affected area. 



Blisters reflexly stimulate the nerve centres in meningitis, in addition 

 to their action on the inflammatory lesion. They should be applied over 



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